With DirecTV, it's $6 per box and the first one is free. So 4 TVs would be an extra $18 per month. Any rewiring or cable runs is part of their free installation. DirecTV is definitely better than Comcast.

THANKS for your reply ... what does it end up costing per month for basic TV package? Why did you choose DirectTV over DISH?

I'm still in the promotion period so right now it's $55 per month for two TVs. After the first year, it goes up to about $85 per month. That's their second tier without premium channels - HBO, etc.

I choose DirecTV over Dish primarily because DirecTV offered a highly rated 100 hour HD DVR and video on demand. Dish doesn't really tell you what you are getting. Dish also has a more complicated fee schedule.

I've been a satisfied DirecTV subscriber for 16 years. I subscribed originally because I wanted a better college basketball package than my cable service had. The picture quality is top-notch, the high def channel availability is excellent and they still have the best sports packages around. The Extra Innings baseball package enables me to watch virtually every Red Sox game.

I contacted JetBlue about taking carrying on my HD/DVR receiver with me so that I will have it in hand when the DirecTV installer comes for the setup. Not only did they respond quickly but positively. I can carry it on as long as it can fit in an appropriately sized piece of luggage. Problem solved.

I can't wait to talk to you (Dan) about your suggested options- such as OOMA, Direct TV and Century Link. You seem to have a plan.

Comcast-Direct TV-Dish- Century Link-Ooma
 

I'm relatively new to TV and I have to say it's one of the most informative and entertaining sites I've seen. We will be moving to The Villages in early August, having made arrangements for a rental as our home sold the first week. We hope to start construction before the end of August.

I have been a Dish TV subscriber for years in Massachusetts and I think the picture has been exceptional, far better than Comcast, who I had previously. The Dish service I have is HD Free for life, 150+ channels and HBO, Showtime and 2 DVR's tha offer over 400 hours each of recording time between HD and standard digital service. My monthly cost is $119.00. I use Comcast for internet service and Verizon for my phone and the cost is $59.95 and $65.00 respectively.

I expect to save money. When I started researching telephone and satellite options I learned about Century Link and their Prism service. This is the closest thing I can find to Verizon FIOS. I think I'm going to go with Century Link and try the Prism service to see how it compares to my previous Dish experience. They have a premium plan that includes more than I need for TV viewing, telephone and 10mps DSL for $150 a month.

I learned about Ooma on this site and eliminated my business line by using that and now I plan to expand the use of this to all of national sales staff.

I'll see you next weekend!